Phonographic record disk



PHONOGRAPHIC RECORD DISK Filed July 5, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l l N V E N TO R HAZEIJZA/DER LISSZ J SKY 1951 v A. LISSIANSKY 2,565,035

PHONOGRAPHIC RECORD DISK Filed July 5, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6,; dead ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 21, 1951 International Mutoscope- Corporation, Long -Island City,' N. Y., a corporation Application July 5,1947, Serial No. 759,153 Claims; (01. 274-42) This invention relates to v phonographicrecords,

and more particularly to record blanks which are to bear recordings. l

It is the primary aim and object of thepresent invention to provide record blanks which are adapted for use in the voice'recording and repr c;

ducing apparatus shownand described in myco pending application, Serial Number 759,152, filed of even date herewith. Accordingly, it is an important object ofthe present invention to provide record blanks which are to become integral elements of the referred apparatus, by providing for their interlock with. parts of the apparatus from the moment they-are of thelatter until.

placed in a supply magazine they are about to be ejected from the apparatus as finished recordings.

It is another important object of the present invention to make provisions in the record blanks for adapting them for cooperation-withthespecific record-releasing mechanism in the magazine of the referred apparatus.

The above and other objects,featurt-is and vantages of the present invention will bemore.

fully understood from the considered in connection illustrative drawings.

In the drawings:

following description- Fig. 1 is a plan view of arecordkblank em bodying the present invention;

Fig.2 is an edge view'of the same record blanki Fig. 3 is' a horizontal section through a maga zine in which blanks of the present type may be stacked, the magazine shown being .that of; t e referred apparatus, and the section-beingtaken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a section taken substantially on the 2 line 4--4 of Fig. 3; and

Figs. 5, and 6 are fragmentary sections silent? to Fig. 3, and showing different steps in the release of a record blank from the magazine Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the present record blank R is in the usual which may be of any suitable record material. Preferably, R is made is, for reasons hereinafterv apparent. sufiiciently resilient to tion of the same. A material suitablefor this purpose is pressed cardboard, for instance,

Either face, and preferably both faces, of

blank R, bear coatings of any; material-custom.-

with the accompanyingform .of a round disc the materialfrom which the blank}:

permit slight flexing of the blank without causing permanent deformae,

arily used in which to cut the spiral sound:

groove of the record to be made.- The cQati-ng materialpreferred on the present blank may be any one of several well-known plastic compounds.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, there is shown a magazine in which blanks R of the present type may be stacked. The magazine shown-. is

that of my referred apparatus, and comprises, several, in the present instancefour, upright bars 22 on a ring support or platform 24 which. is mounted above a main support or table (notshown) on upright posts 26. The bars,22 are paired into guide bars 22" and lockingbars 22'],

and are so arranged as to confine a supply stack of superposed blanks R in the manner shown in Fig. 3 The guide bars 22' may beprovided with wear strips 30 which engage orslightly clear the peripheries the'locking bars other, may be of any suitable crosssection, and

are so spaced from each other, as to be registerable with diametrically opposite peripheral lock notches 32 in the stacked blanks R (Figs. 1 and 3). In the present instance, the locking-bars 22f are of square cross section, and the lock notches 32 in the blanks R shaped with the walls 32a thereof forming angles of 'at least V i The central opening 33 in the ring support 34 is. suz lficiently large topermit the passage there;

throughof the blanks R fro n the magazine. The

stacked a disc 78 in the manner shown in Fig. 4. The discor"transfer table 18 is carried gby a vertically reciprocable spindle M which, for the transfer by said disc 18 7 magazine onto a turntable therebelow (n ot shown) is lowered into a position in which the transfer table becomes seated in a central recess in the turntable and the record blank carried thereon comes to rest on the turntable. .While the transfer table it performs its referred blank.- transfer function, the stacked blanks; Rin the magazine are supported on fingers 34 which ar-e radially movable into andfrom the central opening 33 in the ringsupport 24 in guideways 35,

provided in a raised annular shoulder 38 on'thering support (Figs. 3 and 4).

The-fingers 34 are held in their respective guideways 36 by arcuate retainers 40 which are suitably secured to: the ring support 24 as by screws 42, for instance. The" guide bars 22 and the 'lockihgbar 22 nearestthereto 1y mounted on the ring support 24, while the of the stacked -blanks R,- while 22", which are, inthepresent instance, disposed diametricall oppositeto. each are accordingly V;

blanks in the magazine are normally supported, except as hereinafter pointed out, on

of a blank R pf rom the are preferably permanentf;

remaining or front locking bar 22 is preferably removably mounted in any suitable manner on the ring support 24 so as to permit facile placement of a stack of blanks R into the magazine from the side thereof. In placing blanks R into the magazine from the side thereof, it is, of course, imperative that the lock notches 32 in the blanks are aligned with each other and brought into registry with the locking bars 22", as the removable locking bar could otherwise not be remounted in the magazine.

The transfer of a blank R from the magazine onto the turntable therebeneath is accomplished in two steps, namely, by releasing the lowermost blank in the magazine for discharge therefrom, and by lowering the released blank onto the turntable. The release of the lowermost blank R in the magazine is accomplished by certain operation of the fingers 34 (Figs. 3 to 6), while the lowering of a released blank onto the turntable 1' is accomplished by the transfer table '18, as previously mentioned.

In order that the fingers 34 may perform, in each operating cycle of the referred apparatus, their primary function of releasing the lowermost blank in the magazine for discharge therefrom, the fingers 34 are arranged in angularly spaced pairs of which the fingers 34a and 34b of each pair are under the control of a preferably separate arcuate cam 84 which is so designed and operated as alternately to move the fingers 34a and 34b into and from the central opening 33 in the ring support 24 of the magazine.

Further, proper blank-releasing performance of the fingers 34 requires additional peripheral 1 notches 86 in the blanks (see also Fig. 1) In the present instance, there are provided three equiangularly spaced pairs of identically constructed and coordinated fingers 34a. and 34b, and the blanks R are accordingly provided with three equi-angularly spaced peripheral notches 8E. The notches 86 are shown half-round, but they may assume any other suitable shape. The separate operating cams 84 for the respective finger pairs are also identical, and are joined by arcuate straps 88 (Fig. 3) so that the earns 34 form parts of an articulated ring which is journaled on the raised annular shoulder 38 of the ring support 24, preferably through intermediation of anti-friction discs (not shown) which may be received in suitable sockets in the cams 84 and ride on the annular shoulder 38. The outer margins of the arcuate retainers 40 overlap the earns 84 (Figs. 3 and 4) and prevent removal of the latter from the ring support 24.

The fingers 34a. and 34b of the several pairs are urged into permanent engagement with their respective cams 84 by springs 90, which are anchored with one end on studs 92 on the fingers 34, and with their other ends on studs 94 on the ring support 24. The arcuate retainers 4d are radially slotted at 96 to admit the studs 92 on the fingers 34 when the latter advance into the central opening 33 in the ring support 24 of the magazine.

In order that the fingers 34 may perform their designated blank-releasing function, it is further required that identical blanks R are stacked in the magazine in alternately inverted relation to each other, so that identical notches 86 in successive blanks are staggered in the manner indicated in Fig. 3, and each peripheral notch 86 in a stacked blank R is covered on both sides by nonnotched peripheral portions of adjacent blanks (Fig. 4).

In loading the magazine, blanks R are so placed therein that non-notched peripheral portions of the lowermost blank R are directly above the presently advanced fingers 34a as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Since the action of the separate earns 84 on their respective fingers 34a, 34b is the same for the release of the lowermost blank R in the magazine, the action of only one of these cams, namely 84, will now be described with particular reference to Figs. 3, 5 and 6. In Fig. 3, the advanced finger 34a adjacent cam 84 extends beneath a non-notched peripheral portion of the lowermost blank R in the magazine, while the associated finger 34b is completely retracted. To release the lowermost blank R, cam 84 is turned counterclockwise from the position shown in Fig. 3 into that shown in Fig. 5, whereby the finger 34a is completely retracted and clears the periphery of the blank R, while the associated finger 34b is advanced sufiiciently to extend beneath a non-notched peripheral portion of the secondlowest blank R in the magazine, but will clear the lowermost blank R due to its partial extensions into the adjacent notch 83 therein. Hence,

r the lowermost blank R is now released from themagazine and may descend with the transfertable '58 on which it rests.

In my referred apparatus, the transfer table i8 is, on the described release of the lowermost blank R from the magazine, lowered, permitting. thereby the remaining blanks in the magazine to gravitate onto the partially advanced finger 342)- (Fig. 5) and become seated thereon. More par-- ticularly, it is a non-notched peripheral portion of the then lowermost blank R which becomes seated on the presently partially advanced finger 342) (Fig. 5). In reality, the transfer table 78 is, on the release of the lowermost blank R from the magazine, initially lowered from its blank-supporting position (Fig. 4) such a distance that the remaining, slightly flexible blanks in the magazinebecome seated on the partially advanced fingers 34b, as above explained, and are furthermorepermitted to sag in the center under their own weight and, if need be, that of an additional weight (not shown) on top of the stacked blanks, thereby causing a clear separation of the periph ery of the released blank R from that of the nearest blank R in the magazine, all as shown and described in my referred copending application. While the transfer table 18 is thus held in the initial lowered position, cam 84 is further turned counter-clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. 6, causing thereby the finger 34a to remain in its retracted position, while moving the finger 34b to its most advanced position in which it enters and wedges between the released blank R on the transfer table 18' and the nearest blank R in the magazine, fiex-- ing thereby the adjacent peripheral portion of the released blank R beneath the supporting plane of the transfer table 18. The released blank R thus flexed or deformed is permitted to recover its original flat shape when the transfer table 18 is further lowered from its described initial low-- ered position for the transfer of said blank R onto the turntable. The released blank R will, while recovering from its deformation, spring completely away from the nearest blank R in the magazine and thus carry the initial separation of the blanks R and R at the peripheries thereof to a never-failing final conclusion.

In order that the fingers 34 may perform theabove-described dual function of releasing the lowermost blank from the magazine and positively separating the same. from the remaining blanks therein, the identical camsfllrare-idfi n as shown in Figs. 3, 5 and'6. Moreparticularly, each cam 84 has opposite inclined edges :l which lead inwardly from the inner. concentric edge IIJ2- thereof to short dwells H14, respectively, and opposite inclined edges LOG-which: lead from the dwells I04, respectively, to along-dwell" I08". Each cam 84 is so coordinated with its associated fingers 34a and 34b'- that either finger. iszin' its mostadvanced position when"iniengagementwith the inner concentric edge I02 of the cam, i's comepletely retracted andclears the outer periphery of the adjacent blank in the magazine when in engagement with the innermost dwell I08 of the cam, and is inv the partiallwadyanced; position shown at 3421 in Fig. 5 when in en'gagementiwith either one of the; intermediatedwells-JM in the cam.

While the cams 84 are turned, counter-clockwise as viewed in Figs; 3, 5 andid'fortheabovedescribed release of the lowermost: blankR" from the. magazine-and its separation from the remaining blanks therein, it, will now be: evident that the cams 84 are turnedin the opposite'di rectionj; for the subsequent release ofthe then lowermost blank R from the magazine and its. separation from the, remaining; blanks therein. Hence, the cams 84 have to, be oscillated back and forth about the centralaxisof the magazine for the release of the successive blanks R in the magazine. The cams 84 are thus oscillated, through intermediation" of a link I I4 and an arm II6 on one of the cams 84, by mechanism fully shown and described in my referred copending application.

It is also contemplated to make the record blanks R integral elements of my referred apparatus during their presence in, and travel through, the latter, by interlocking them with parts of the apparatus from the moment they are placed in the magazine until they are about to be ejected from the apparatus as finished recordings. Thus, the blanks R in the magazine are interlocked with the locking bars 22" thereof, as explained.

Furthermore, each blank R has, besides a center hole I22 for the reception of a center pin I2 on the transfer table I8, also a dowel hole I24. As shown in Fig. 1, the dowel hole I24 in each blank R is in line with the diametrically opposite lock notches 32 therein, wherefore the dowel holes I24 in the stacked blanks in the magazine are all axially aligned despite the alternately inverted disposition of successive blanks therein. The dowel holes I 24 in the stacked blanks are adapted to receive a dowel pin I26 on the transfer table I8 (Fig. 4), and thus become locked to the latter prior to and during their release from the magazine, as well as during their transfer onto, and stay on, the turntable. The dowel pin I26 on the transfer table I8 serves also to interlock a transferred blank R with the turntable through intermediation of a driving pin (not shown) in the latter which engages a suitable socket (not shown) in the transfer table 18 and drives the latter when in its lowermost position. Suitable provisions, shown and described in my referred co-pending application, are made to arrest the transfer table 18, when not in driving engagement with the turntable, in a predetermined angular position in which the dowel pin I26 thereon will, on ascent of the transfer table 18 to its blanksupporting position (Fig. 4), enter unfailingly the aligned dowel holes I24 0! the lowest blanks in thelmagazine. Thus, the blanks R areinterlocked with parts of my referred apparatus not only while they are in the magazine, but also while they are being transferred onto the turntable and even when they turn thereon.

Due to the explained alternately inverted disposition of the stacked blanks in the magazine for. their correct placement therein, both faces of theidentical blanks R are preferably coated. It is, of course, feasible to coat only one face of each blank, in which case two separate supplies of blanks are coated on different faces thereof so as: to permit their correct placement in the magazinein alternately inverted relation to each other. To facilitate the proper placement of single-face coated blanks R in the magazine, so that they are alternately inverted to each other with their coated faces up, they are preferably provided on their coated faces only with labels L of paper or the like, which may be cemented or otherwise secured thereto. Labels L may, of course, be also provided on records having both faces. coated. The labels L may bear any desired printed 'matter.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that-various changes may be made in the present invention Without departing from the underlying idea or principles of the invention Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claimanddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A circular phonographic record disc having two spaced first and second holes in a central portion thereof, at least three first identical peripheral notches arranged at points constituting a three-point positive support for said disc, and a differently shaped second peripheral notch in line with said holes and unequally angularly spaced from the adjacent first notches and out of diametric alignment with the remaining first notch, so that said first notches in each of a plurality of identical record discs are covered by non-notched peripheral portions of the adjacent record discs on stacking said discs in alternately inverted order into superposed relation with each other with their second notches, first holes and second holes in alignment with each other, respectively.

2. A circular phonographic record disc having two spaced first and second holes in a central portion thereof, at least three first identical peripheral notches arranged at points constituting a three-point positive support for said disc, and two diametrically opposite second peripheral notches in line with said holes, said second notches being differently shaped than said first notches and unequally angularly spaced from the adjacent first notches, respectively, so that said first notches in each of a pluralit of identical record discs are covered by non-notched peripheral portions of the adjacent record discs on stacking said discs in alternatel inverted order into superposed relation with each other with their diametrically opposite second notches, first holes and second holes in alignment with each other, respectively.

3. A circular phonographic record disc having two spaced first and second holes in a central portion thereof of which one hole is in the center of the disc, at least three first identical peripheral notches arranged at points constituting a three-point positive support for said disc, and two diametrically opposite second peripheral notches in line with said holes, said second notches bein differently shaped than said first notches and unequally angularly spaced from the adjacent first notches, respectively, so that said first notches in each of a plurality of identical record discs are covered by non-notched peripheral portions of the adjacent record discs on stacking said discs in alternately inverted order into superposed relation with each other with their diametrically opposite second notches, first holes and second holes in alignment With each other, respectively.

4. A circular phonographic record disc having two spaced first and second holes in a central portion thereof of which one hole is in the center of the disc, at least three equi-angularly spaced first identical peripheral notches, and a differently shaped second peripheral notch in line with said holes and unequally angularly spaced from the adjacent first notches, so that said first notches in each of a plurality of identical record discs are covered by non-notched peripheral portions of the adjacent record discs on stacking said discs in alternately inverted order into superposed relation with each other with their second notches, first holes and second holes in alignment with each other, respectively.

5. A circular phonographic record disc having two spaced first and second holes in a central portion thereof of which one hole is in the center of the disc, at least three first equi-angularly spaced, identical peripheral notches, and two diametrically opposite second peripheral notches in line 'with said holes, said second notches being unequally angularly spaced from the adjacent first notches, respectively, and being difierently shaped than said first notches, so that said first notches in each of aplurality of identical record discs are covered by non-notched peripheral portions of the adjacent record discs on stacking said discs in alternately inverted order into superposed relation with each other with their diametrically opposite second notches, first holes and second holes in alignment with each other, respectively.

ALEXANDER. LISSIANSKY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,316,894 Holmboe Sept. 23, 1919 1,409,568 Pakeman Mar. 14, 1922 1,665,331 Thomson Apr. 10, 1928 1,955,497 Harvey Apr. 17, 1934 2,020,381 Labowitz et al. Nov. 12, 1935 2,027,426 Hammond et al. Jan. 14, 1936 2,250,149 Shuemaker July 22-, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 334,003 Great Britain Aug. 28, 1930 

